Lucinda O'Sullivan's Ireland

About The Restaurant

If you’re planning a trip to Kilkenny, in the near future, then be sure to plan a trip to Harpers Restaurant at the Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel. Stylish and attractive, Harpers has a sophisticated plush brasserie feel encompassing a restaurant, cocktail bar and late lounge, and there is always a buzz at Harpers.

On our visit, starters included seafood chowder; chicken liver pate with mandarin jelly, port and cranberry sauce and crispy bread; as well as a goats cheese panna cotta with beetroot ketchup, candied beetroot and walnuts. I, however, quite fancied the potted prawn and crabmeat cocktail, which was a delicious fishy melange served with a lime gel and toasted sourdough bread to the side. Brendan was in the mood for their chicken wings, which were finger lickin’ good with their Louisiana hot sauce and blue cheese dip.

There was plenty to choose from for the mains with dishes like pork belly roulade with Savoy cabbage and champ potato; chicken stuffed with sausage meat and served alongside pumpkin ravioli with a pine nut and thyme sauce; as well as pan-fried seabass in a lobster sauce, all catching the eye. A puff pastry vegetable pie sounded good with a nut stuffing and courgette fries, as did a slow cooked shoulder of lamb, but, in the end, I stayed at sea, with a dish of seafood linguine with generous helpings of cod, salmon, smoked haddock and prawns, all in a white wine pesto sauce with some garlic bread on the side. Himself, quite predictably, went for the 8oz sirloin, with his choice of pepper sauce, which he happily devoured along with its roast shallots, cherry tomatoes and fries.

We were quite full at that stage, but a little look at the dessert menu couldn’t hurt, could it? There was sticky toffee pudding with rum and raisin ice-cream; a lemon, chestnut and honey baked Alaska with passion fruit anglaise; not to mention an Irish cheeseboard with cranberry and hazelnut crackers; but we decided to split a sinfully delicious chocolate and caramel mousse which came with a scoop of heavenly hazelnut ice-cream. Delighted with our meal, we headed to the bar for a nightcap.

If however, you’re after a more casual meal, be sure to check out the Hibernian Bar. It’s open throughout the day, from breakfast to last call, and there’s always a good atmosphere. Drop in for an afternoon bite and relax by the open fire with some tasty pulled beef; soup and a sambo; or fish & chips with a Caesar salad, all washed down with a good drink. And, when it comes to drink, you’re in for a treat with their extensive selection of Irish whiskeys, cocktails and gin & tonics. They even do Irish whiskey tasting experiences here, if that sort of thing tickles your fancy.

So whether it’s fancy or casual, a big bite or a little nibble, hunger or thirst, plan a visit to the Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel, and while you’re there, why not stay the night?

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